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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
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Common phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance patterns found in a case study of multiresistant E. coli

Liliana Raquel Leite Martins1, Susana Maria Rocha Pina, Romeo Luís Rocha Simões

  • 1Institute for the Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, UP VET Small Animal Veterinary Clinic, Porto University, Portugal. lmartins@icbas.up.pt

Journal of Environmental Health
|February 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study found that Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains with antimicrobial resistance genes spread between pets, humans, and household surfaces. Close contact and contaminated objects facilitate this within-household gene diffusion.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Veterinary Medicine

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health concern.
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a common bacterium found in humans and animals, and can be a vector for antimicrobial resistance genes.
  • Understanding the transmission dynamics of AMR within households is crucial for effective control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of E. coli strains from cohabitant pets, humans, and household environments.
  • To investigate the concurrent colonization by E. coli carrying specific AMR genes among pets, owners, and home surfaces.
  • To assess the role of household surfaces and objects in the diffusion of AMR genes within a multi-host environment.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of 124 E. coli strains from various sources including pet urine and mouth, human samples, and household surfaces (laundry floor, refrigerator door, food bowl).
  • Phenotypic analysis of antimicrobial resistance patterns.
  • Identification of shared resistance patterns and genes across different hosts and environmental sites within the household.

Main Results:

  • A significant percentage of the isolated E. coli strains exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR).
  • Identical MDR patterns were detected in E. coli from a dog's urine and mouth, laundry floor, refrigerator door, and food bowl.
  • Multiresistant E. coli strains and specific resistance genes were repeatedly found across different household members and surfaces.

Conclusions:

  • Close contact between human and animal cohabitants, along with contact with contaminated household surfaces and objects, likely facilitates the within-household spread of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli.
  • Household environments serve as reservoirs and transmission routes for AMR genes between pets and humans.
  • Findings highlight the importance of integrated surveillance and control measures targeting both human and animal populations, as well as the domestic environment, to combat AMR.

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